The Crown Estate confirmed on 14 November 2012 that three organisations have secured rights to progress with the development of tidal energy projects at sites around the UK.

The announcement of these three projects signals the continued growth in both interest in the development of marine renewables across the whole of the UK and in the variety of ways in which organisations are looking to support the needs of the industry as it continues to grow.

The sites have been awarded as a result of the fourth application window in The Crown Estate’s leasing process, for projects in connection with the Scottish Government’s Saltire Prize (in Scottish waters) and demonstration projects (all around the UK), which opened in April 2012.

The Centre creates a new opportunity for technology developers to test tidal stream turbines, building knowledge and experience of installation, operations and maintenance. The project forms part of the Council’s EcoIsland sustainability initiative.

These new agreements for lease will enable the developers to proceed further with their projects, consulting local stakeholders, completing survey work and preparing applications to obtain consents from the relevant authorities, including the Marine Management Organisation and Marine Scotland.

If consents are granted for the Solent Ocean Energy Centre and Lashy Sound project, The Crown Estate will be able to grant leases to enable construction and operation of the schemes.

Paul Catterall, Wave and Tidal Development Manager at The Crown Estate, said “we are pleased to conclude negotiations for these projects, which will play an important role in facilitating further research and development, testing and commercialisation of tidal energy technologies.”

“The awards take the total number of UK wave and tidal sites under development or operation to 41.”

“The Crown Estate is continuing to support growth of the emerging industry and we will be announcing next steps in leasing wave and tidal sites in due course,” he said.